I have to start somewhere and its been too long - the growing season is really well under way! I'll just go ahead and start here and then as things come up I'll post pics from earlier.So, here we were on the 8th day of June and things were looking great. The tomatoes were standing tall with thick stalks. We'd come through the rainy spring when they had yellowed out and were looking like they were maybe not going to make it. Then the HOT weather hit and they perked right up and said, "This is it". So yesterday evening when I made my last rounds they were happy campers.This morning we had 2 1/2 inches of rain - at least it wasn't the hail that people had a mile north of us - but when I was able to go out this afternoon - the poor little plants were trampled down in the mud and not looking pleased.So, this late afternoon was spent putting up tomato cages and tying the plants up with knit fabric. The We'll see what tonight brings.= with more rain expected.

You might notice that the name of this blog has changed. Also that its been a long time since I last posted.

My life has changed! And not always in a good way - in fact there were many dark days. As of two and a half years ago I have become the primary caregiver for my husband who is a victim of strokes.

Its been a long process and very much an up and down one. -like rollercoaster up and down or mountain and valley!

I still teach painting and use my class blog to reach my students but I had just allowed the gardening aspect of my life to wither and very nearly die. Where was the time!

As I had been telling myself my website greatly needed an overhaul, I finally got around to looking at the pages and up popped what I'd always thought of as my Gardening blog!

They say things will fall into place at the right time - or as we say in the art world - the teacher will come when you are ready - The title of the blog was actually "The Growing Project" and what have I been doing as a caregiver but Growing!Often -actually most often for a lot of that time - I was fighting the whole thing. So this life is still a garden and in drawing on all kinds of inspirations I intend to provide growing advice - including sometimes just questions - to caregivers like myself And I am very interested in your stories as you work through your caregiving.Stories are so powerful! They're like the rain on the seeds and the dirt of your backyard garden.

Namaste

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When we moved into this house, it was empty ground with some trees and scrub grass. Now, my aim is to provide food for both our souls and our bodies.

Gardening isn't just about food. Life is a garden.My friends are a part of my garden as is my art.We're all growing together.

As I move through this process of gardening, , I remember every day the watchword of every gardener -- "Next Year!"But I've also recently learned that today is what really counts. Amen!